DCEO Illinois Energy Office, Ameren Illinois and ComEd are offering a portfolio of electric efficiency programs to achieve targeted annual energy savings goals. For further information on the legislation, background and history, go to www.ileeps.org and refer to the DCEO Electric Efficiency Portfolio Fact Sheet. Incentives are available to customers in Ameren Illinois and ComEd’s electric service areas.
- DCEO provides incentives for the Public Sector, Affordable House New Construction and Gut Rehab, as well as Training and Education
- ComEd (www.comed.com) and Ameren Illinois (www.ActOnEnergy.com) provide incentives for businesses and residential customers.
The Programs offered by DCEO’s State Energy Office are as follows:
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG)
Local Governments with populations under 35,000 can apply for Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) funding by June 11, 2010. The program is administered for the State Energy Office by the Illinois Association of Regional Planning Councils. Possible categories for funding include strategic energy planning, residential and commercial building audits, energy retrofits or purchasing hybrid, electric or alternative-fueled cars. To find out which categories are available in your area, find your regional planning agency at www.ilarconline.org.
Public Sector Electric Efficiency
These programs include the Standard and Custom Incentive Programs and New Construction Program. These are offered to the Public Sector:
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Local Government (county, township, municipal, public safety, water and park districts)
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Public Schools
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Community Colleges
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State and Federal Government
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Public Universities
in ComEd and Ameren Illinois electric service territories. For non-profits, private schools and businesses, incentives are available from the Ameren Act on Energy and ComEd Smart Ideas business programs. For those entities that are members of the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency (IMEA), IMEA offers incentives under the IMEA Electric Efficiency Program.
DCEO is no longer accepting Program Year 2 (PY2) Applications.
Program Year 3 (for projects completed June 1, 2010 – May 31, 2011) Changes:
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PY3 Standard and Custom Programs have 2 sets of incentives, thus are 2 sets of Guidelines and 2 Excel Applications.
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Incentive maximum increased from $200K to $300K per building.
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For Local Government, Public Schools, Community Colleges:
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For Public Universities, State and Federal Government:
Standard and Custom Incentive Programs
Provides grants and rebates to public sector entities for electric system efficiency improvements. The Standard Incentive Program provides set incentive levels for common retrofits for lighting, HVAC, variable frequency drive controls, motors and refrigeration. The Custom Incentive Program provides incentives for electric efficiency improvements not listed in the Standard Incentive Program.
Guidelines for Local Government, Public Schools and Community Colleges
Fillable Forms for Local Government, Public Schools and Community Colleges includes Application, Certification, and Standard Incentive Worksheets
Guidelines for Public Universities, State and Federal Government
Fillable Forms for Public Universities, State and Federal Government includes Application, Certification, and Standard Incentive Worksheets
New Construction Program
Provides grants to public sector entities to encourage applicants to design new or rehabbed buildings to achieve the greatest level of energy efficiency. The program offers $/square foot incentives for facility design improvements beyond code, with incentive levels increasing for additional percentages beyond code. Estimated electricity savings must be documented by energy modeling and/or supporting calculations. This program is part of the Illinois Energy Efficiency Portfolio and is limited to ComEd and Ameren Illinois electric service territories.
DCEO contact: Tom Coe, 217/785-2433
Retro-commissioning Program
Provides funding to identify and implement low cost tune-ups and adjustments that improve the efficiency of existing public buildings’ operating systems by returning them to intended operation or design specifications, with a focus on building controls and HVAC systems. Retro-commissioning services will be delivered through a network of commissioning providers that have been trained in program protocols and participation processes. This program is part of the Illinois Energy Efficiency Portfolio and is limited to ComEd and Ameren Illinois electric service territories.
DCEO contact: Tom Coe, 217/785-2433
Natural Gas Energy Efficiency Programs
The Natural Gas Energy Efficiency Programs authorized by Public Act 96-0033 will start June 1, 2011. Watch this website for further information on the programs and for grant/rebate applications in the future.
Designation as Self-Directing Customer or Exempt Customer
Customers seeking to be designated by the Department as a self-directing customer (SDC) or as an Exempt Customer under the Natural Gas Energy Efficiency Programs shall submit an application on or before February 1, 2010. A new customer that commences taking service from a natural gas utility after February 1, 2010 may apply up to 30 days after beginning service. Thereafter, applications may be made not less than 6 months before the triennial filing date of the gas utility energy efficiency plans. Click here for a copy of the Application for Designation as Self-Directing Customer or Exempt Customer.
Low Income Energy Efficiency
Energy Efficient Affordable Housing Construction Program
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) believes that affordable housing must be energy efficient to be truly affordable. DCEO has led this effort through the Illinois Energy Efficient Affordable Housing Program initiated in 1988. Under this Program, grants are provided to Illinois based non-profit and for-profit housing developers to include energy efficient building practices in the rehab or new construction of affordable housing units. Average energy savings range from 50% to 75%.
Market Transformation:
Technical Assistance, Education and Training
Building Industry Training and Education Program
Smart Energy Design Assistance
DCEO partners with the University of Illinois School of Architecture in order to provide technical assistance services to businesses, federal, state and local government, public schools, community colleges, public universities and colleges to assist clients who are considering energy efficiency improvements at existing facilities or to enhance baseline design of new facilities.
Large-customer Energy Analysis Program (LEAP)
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity administers the Large-customer Energy Analysis Program (LEAP) to reduce the cost of doing business in Illinois by reducing energy costs for large energy users (with annual energy expenditures of $500,000 or more), such as manufacturers, hospitals, large commercial buildings, universities, and local governments.
Energy Performance Contracting Program
Energy Performance Contracting is an innovative arrangement for designing, installing and financing energy improvement projects where the savings achieved by the project are guaranteed to amortize the cost of the project over the term of the agreement.
Illinois Sustainable Education Projects (ISTEP) Guidelines
The Illinois DCEO administers the Illinois Sustainable Education Project (ISTEP) to provide education and information about energy efficiency, renewable energy, recycling, composting, and vermicomposting. The ISTEP will fund educational projects focused in these areas as key learning examples of resource conservation and environmental stewardship. In addition, the ISTEP will fund educational projects that promote energy efficient, renewable energy, recycling, composting and vermicomposting technologies. The program will, in part, encourage implementation of cost-effective energy efficiency measures. Implementing such measures will also enhance economic development in the state of Illinois through job creation and business development.
Sources of Energy Professionals, Vendors, Contractors
For help finding energy professionals and vendors there are 3 sources for you to utilize:
- SEDAC (Smart Energy Design Assistance Center) Energy Services Providers
- Ameren Illinois Provider Trade Allies
- ComEd Trade Allies